Knicks Rumors: Thibodeau Having Trouble Getting Julius Randle to Play Selflessly
Jan 31, 2022
New York Knicks' Julius Randle drives past Milwaukee Bucks' Khris Middleton during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 123-108. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
New York Knicks big man Julius Randle has regressed following his four-year, $117 million extension signed in the offseason, which could be a result of trying to live up to the contract.
"Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau has admitted to associates he's had more trouble getting Randle to play with a selflessness this season than during last season," an NBA source told Marc Berman of the New York Post.
Some in the organization reportedly believe he's trying to score more to justify his deal.
If that's the case, the plan hasn't worked. Randle's scoring average (18.5 points per game) is significantly lower than last year's breakout season (24.1 points per game). His assists have also dropped from 6.0 to 5.0 per contest.
Randle was the NBA's Most Improved Player last season, earning his first All-Star selection before being named second-team All-NBA. The production helped the Knicks finish fourth in the Eastern Conference standings, good enough for the organization's first playoff appearance in seven years.
It's been a much different story in 2021-22. After hitting a career-high 41.1 percent of his three-pointers last year, Randle is down to 30.6 percent this season. His effective field-goal percentage has dropped from 51.6 to 46.3.
After ranking 15th in the NBA with 7.8 win shares, he's now tied for 147th in the same category with 2.0.
New York has suffered as a team, entering Monday with a 23-27 record that ranks 12th in the conference.
Randle has averaged 15.0 points and made just 38.7 percent of his field goals over the last seven games. The Knicks are 1-6 in that stretch.
Regardless of the reason for Randle's struggles, it's clear the team is not getting its money's worth from the 27-year-old forward. It could cause New York to trade him ahead of the Feb. 10 deadline, with Berman reporting "everything is on the table."
Julius Randle Says 'I Still Want to Be a Part' of Knicks amid Trade Rumors
Jan 29, 2022
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 24: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks brings the ball up court during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 24, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Julius Randle's name has popped up in various trade rumors as the Feb. 10 deadline inches closer, but the New York Knicks veteran said his resolve to be a part of the franchise hasn't waned.
"I wouldn’t change it," Randle said, per Steve Popper of Newsday. "I still want to be a part of it. I still want to see this thing through. I still want to be a part of trying to bring a championship to the Knicks."
Randle's comments come after SNY's Ian Begley reported he could be available in a trade for the "right return."
The Knicks were hoping Randle would be a key part of the team's long-term future after signing him to a four-year, $117 million extension in August. However, he and the team have taken a step back this season.
The Knicks, who finished 41-31 last year, are sitting at 23-27 and in 12th in the Eastern Conference.
The 27-year-old is averaging 18.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game while shooting 41.3 percent from the floor and 30.6 percent from deep. His numbers are down across the board from last season when he averaged 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game while shooting 45.6 percent from the floor and 41.1 percent from deep.
In addition, Randle's defense hasn't been as good as it was one year ago. Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier have also struggled, so Randle isn't solely to blame for the team's shortcomings.
Although his name has been mentioned in trade rumors and he's shown public frustration recently, it's unlikely the veteran gets moved ahead of the deadline. Dealing him didn't appear to be in the team's plans a few weeks ago, and it's hard to imagine the franchise will move him now.
That said, the Knicks are also reportedly open to trading Walker, Fournier and Alec Burks, per ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
The team could look a lot different to finish out the season, for better or for worse.
Giannis Dominates with 38 and 13 as Bucks Hand Knicks 3rd-Straight Loss
Jan 29, 2022
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks past New York Knicks' Mitchell Robinson during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the visiting New York Knicks 123-108 on Friday at Fiserv Forum.
Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo led all players with 38 points on 12-of-19 shooting and 13 rebounds. Milwaukee guard Jrue Holiday complemented Antetokounmpo's effort with 24 points and a game-high 10 assists.
Evan Fournier led the Knicks scoring attack with 25 points on 10-of-19 shooting. RJ Barrett scored 23 points but made only 6-of-20 field goals. Julius Randle had 11 rebounds but scored just nine points and committed four turnovers.
New York hung tough through the first three quarters and only trailed 93-91 after an Alec Burks three-pointer early in the fourth quarter. However, Antetokounmpo scored seven points and dished an assist amid a 15-3 run to create some distance. Milwaukee never led by fewer than eight points for the remainder of the game.
The 31-20 Bucks have won four of their last five. The 23-27 Knicks have lost three straight and six of seven.
Notable Performances
Bucks F Giannis Antetokounmpo: 38 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists
Bucks G Jrue Holiday: 24 points, 10 assists
Bucks F Khris Middleton: 20 points, 7 rebounds
Knicks G Evan Fournier: 25 points, 7 rebounds
Knicks G/F RJ Barrett: 23 points
Knicks F Julius Randle: 9 points, 11 rebounds
Giannis, Holiday Bring the Win Home for Bucks
Milwaukee's three-game winning streak came to a crashing halt on Wednesday as the Cleveland Cavaliers crushed the reigning champions 115-99. It was a wake-up call for the Bucks, who were outscored 69-42 over the second and third quarters.
After that ugly loss, it behooved the Bucks to respond positively on Friday against the reeling, 12th-place Knicks.
While their defensive effort sometimes left a lot to be desired, the Giannis- and Holiday-led offense paved the way for a resounding victory.
Antetokounmpo dominated the entire game, dropping 13 of the Bucks' 39 first-quarter points to give Milwaukee a nine-point edge after one.
Holiday followed suit with 14 first-half points and five dimes after scoring just four against the Cavs two nights earlier. He hit a big corner three early in the second quarter:
Despite their efforts, the Bucks led by just two points early in the fourth quarter.
That's when Giannis led Milwaukee on a run that effectively put the game away. A quick seven points, capped by this three-pointer, put Milwaukee up 102-93:
When he wasn't dropping buckets, he was doing literally everything else, including somehow finding Grayson Allen with this incredible pass for a three that put the Bucks up 105-94:
The Knicks cut the lead to eight points with under four minutes left in the fourth quarter, but Antetokounmpo put the game away from the free-throw line down the stretch.
In the end, the Bucks put the Cleveland loss in the rearview mirror and came out hot against the Knicks to put themselves back in the win column.
Knicks Hang Tough But Can't Keep Pace in 4th
The Knicks entered Friday in the midst of an ugly 1-5 stretch that included three home losses, including one to the 18-30 New Orleans Pelicans.
New York averaged just 97.8 points per game over its last six contests, a stretch symbolic of the team's season-long offensive woes (No. 23 in offensive rating).
The Knicks fared far better offensively against the Bucks through three quarters, scoring 88 points and hanging tough with the defending NBA champions despite Antetokounmpo having yet another stellar game.
The problem was the Knicks couldn't hang with the superior Milwaukee side for four quarters, as everything fell apart in the final frame.
At this point, the Knicks will have to take some moral victories if they can't consistently manage real ones, and there were some to point to on this evening.
Barrett continued his scoring splurge, albeit on an off-shooting night. He entered Friday averaging 23.3 points per game in his last nine contests and appears to have taken a significant leap in his offensive development.
He hit a big three-pointer near the end of the first half to keep the Knicks within striking distance:
Fournier appeared to bust out of an ugly slump that saw him score just 8.5 points per game on 33.3 percent shooting in his last four contests. He scored eight points in the first quarter thanks in part to two threes:
But their collective efforts weren't enough as the Knicks failed to keep pace with the Bucks.
Friday certainly proved to be a tall order on the road against an NBA title contender, and the Knicks fared well for most of the game. But this matchup also showed how far this team has to go to compete on a consistent basis with the league's best.
What's Next?
The Knicks will host the Sacramento Kings on Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET in Madison Square Garden. Milwaukee will welcome the Denver Nuggets into town on Sunday at 7 p.m.
Knicks Fan Says Julius Randle Had Him Ejected for Heckling During Heat Game
Jan 28, 2022
CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 24: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 24, 2022 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
New York Knicks forward Julius Randle apparently didn't like the way a fan was taunting him during Wednesday's 110-96 loss to the Miami Heat at FTX Arena.
Dylan Rainey, a 29-year-old Knicks fan living in Florida, told Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News that Randle got him kicked out of the arena for pointing out his plus-minus stats against the Heat.
"He’s sitting right in front of me. I said, ‘Hey, you know you’re minus-34 right now, right?’" Rainey said. "Then he looked at me, was clearly trying to intimidate me, then he got security, and that was a wrap."
Earlier in the day, Rainey provided a longer explanation of what happened during an appearance on WFAN's Carlton and Roberts:
How to get booted from an NBA game ✅ Buy tickets ✅ Be passionate about your team ✅ Hurt Julius Randle's feelings pic.twitter.com/pzXd23ocmH
This isn't the first time Randle has taken issue with Knicks fans amid the team's disappointing performance this season. He gave a thumbs-down gesture after making a shot in the fourth quarter of a 108-105 win over the Boston Celtics on Jan. 6.
Randle told reporters after the game he was sending a message to Knicks fans.
"Shut the f--k up," he said.
The Madison Square Garden crowd was booing the Knicks during the first half and into the third quarter for their play against the Celtics.
New York came back to beat the Celtics in that game earlier this month, but it had no such luck against the Heat. The entire starting five was at least minus-18 in Wednesday's loss.
Randle's minus-34 mark was his worst of the season. It was also the fourth time in the past six games his plus-minus has been at least minus-20.
An All-Star last season, Randle has not been able to repeat that performance in 2021-22. The 27-year-old is on pace to have his worst scoring average (18.7 points per game) since 2017-18 and lowest field-goal percentage (41.2) of his career, not including one game he played as a rookie in 2014-15.
The Knicks are currently the 11th seed in the Eastern Conference with a 23-26 record.
Knicks Trade Rumors: 'Vultures Are Circling' Around NYK; Teams Eye Immanuel Quickley
Jan 28, 2022
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 24: Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks pauses between plays during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 24, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 95-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
As the New York Knicks continue to slide down the Eastern Conference standings, opposing teams are keeping an eye on them ahead of the Feb. 10 trade deadline.
On The Lowe Post podcast (h/t HoopsHype.com), ESPN's Zach Lowe said the "vultures are circling" around the Knicks in reference to other teams looking at their roster.
Lowe added New York's front office is "getting a lot of calls" about Immanuel Quickley.
The Knicks are reportedly looking at making some moves ahead of the trade deadline.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported on NBA Today the Knicks have "expressed a willingness to trade" some veteran players, including Kemba Walker, Evan Fournier and Alec Burks.
All three of those players are signed through at least the 2022-23 season.
Quickley is only 22 years old and has shown a lot of promise through his first two seasons. The Kentucky alum averaged 11.4 points and shot 38.9 percent from three-point range as a rookie in 2020-21.
His numbers have taken a dip so far this season, including in scoring average (10.1) and three-point percentage (34.5).
It's not a surprise that opposing teams would have interest in Quickley given his age and contract status. He is signed through the 2023-24 season with a $6.1 million qualifying offer for 2024-25.
The Knicks have lost five of their last six games and are 23-26 overall this season. They are 11th in the Eastern Conference standings, but only trail the Boston Celtics by one-half game for the final spot in the play-in tournament.
Knicks Trade Rumors: NY Open to Dealing Kemba Walker, Evan Fournier, Alec Burks
Jan 27, 2022
New York Knicks guard Kemba Walker (8) looks to pass against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
The New York Knicks are reportedly exploring trade options for some of their key players.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported Thursday that New York is looking to deal its more experienced players to make room for its younger stars.
"In conversations this week with teams, the Knicks have expressed a willingness to trade some of their veteran players," Windhorst said on NBA Today. "That includes Kemba Walker, Evan Fournier, Alec Burks, guys like this."
Both Walker and Fournier were added to the team this past offseason, so it's a surprise that the Knicks are looking to get rid of them so quickly. Fournier was acquired via sign-and-trade with the Boston Celtics on a four-year, $73 million contract. Walker, a native New Yorker, signed a two-year deal worth $17.9 million.
Windhorst further explained that the Knicks roster is a mix of aging and young players who haven't meshed well together so far this season. Head coach Tom Thibodeau hasn't been able to put together a consistent rotation for the team to be successful, which has resulted in a 23-26 record.
New York recently acquired wing player Cam Reddish in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks, but he hasn't been able to see the floor much. The impending return of veteran point guard Derrick Rose will also eat up playing time from other players.
"They traded for Cam Reddish two weeks ago, and he is not getting minutes in the rotation from Tom Thibodeau," Windhorst said. "And Derrick Rose is expected to come back from injury very soon here. It's just too crowded, and they're not playing well with what they have, so they're willing to change that mix."
Reddish was inserted into Wednesday's game against the Miami Heat in the fourth quarter when a win was well out of reach. New York fell 110-96 after trailing by as many as 30 points.
"Thibs has only played Reddish a total of 15 minutes so far, and 10 of them were last night, most of them in garbage time against the Heat in a game that was out of hand," Windhorst said. "Obviously the Knicks traded for him, they'd like to see him play."
The Knicks will look to end a two-game skid when they take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday.
Knicks Trade Rumors: 'Impression' Is Julius Randle Could Be Available for Right Deal
Jan 27, 2022
CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 24: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 24, 2022 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
Less than a year after signing him to a four-year extension, the New York Knicks may be willing to move on from Julius Randle.
Ian Begley of SNY.tv reported the Knicks could make Randle available ahead of the Feb. 10 trade deadline for the "right return."
Randle has failed to live up to his All-NBA form from 2020-21, averaging 18.7 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists so far this season. While those are solid numbers, his efficiency as a shooter has taken a massive dip (30.7 percent from three-point range, down from 41.1 percent last season) and he's had an increasingly contentious relationship with fans.
Randle apologized after giving Knicks fans a thumbs-down gesture and telling them to "shut the f--k up" after facing boos in a Jan. 6 game against the Boston Celtics. The incident pointed at a combination of frustration with fans and Randle's struggles to handle being a 1A star in the New York spotlight.
The Knicks head into Friday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks at 23-26 and are on the outside looking in of the Eastern Conference playoff hunt. It's been a near-constant struggle for one of last season's surprise darlings, a regression that was expected by some outsiders but few inside the five boroughs.
Randle's four-year contract extension kicks in next season and pays him a manageable $117 million. In the modern NBA cap world, he could theoretically be the third-highest paid player on a championship contender.
The issue with the Knicks' construction is that they are built around a group of mid-tier veterans making mid-tier salaries. Their cap space is tied up in a mediocre roster with no veterans besides Randle who could be the cornerstone of a blockbuster trade.
That said, it's unlikely Randle goes anywhere ahead of the deadline unless the tensions that came to the surface earlier this month are worse than they seem.
The New York Knicks have a major decision to make between now and the Feb. 10 NBA trade deadline. Will they push for something more this season, or is selling suddenly an option for the sub-...
Knicks 'a 1st-round Exit From' Landing Jazz Star Donovan Mitchell, Says NBA Scout
Jan 27, 2022
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - JANUARY 26: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz looks on before a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 26, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Donovan Mitchell is under contract for at least the next three seasons in Utah, but that isn't stopping speculation he may attempt to force a trade to the New York Knicks.
"They’re a first-round exit from Donovan being in New York," an Eastern Conference scout told Ric Bucher of Fox Sports.
The Jazz have been one of the NBA's biggest playoff disappointments in recent seasons, failing to get past the second round during the Mitchell-Rudy Gobert era. The relationship between the two Utah stars has also been the source of constant speculation since Gobert's actions during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the two players mended fences and grew closer last season, signs of discord again reared up this month when Gobert made public comments about teammates not playing winning basketball.
“When I watch some of these other teams like the Suns or the Warriors, those guys are a step ahead of us in terms of winning habits,” Gobert told reporters earlier this month. “They take every game personally. Devin Booker is playing his ass off defensively. I’ve been watching him compared to two years ago.
“Guys like that, they buy in. You can tell they take pride in playing defense, stopping their man, doing whatever they can defensively to stop the other team and be a part of a winning culture. I think we’re not there yet, but I think we’re gonna get there.”
Mitchell liked a tweet that speculated Gobert's comments were a "subtweet" of the All-Star guard. When asked about why he liked the tweet, Mitchell offered a terse answer that did little to quell concern over potential beef between the two stars.
Mitchell is in the first year of a five-year max contract that takes him through at least the 2024-25 season. Gobert is also under contract through 2024-25. The only way a breakup between the pair happens in the foreseeable future is if someone tries forcing their way out via trade.
The Knicks, who have clawed their way back to relevancy the last two seasons under Tom Thibodeau, are bound to be at the center of trade speculation regarding stars in the upcoming months. Julius Randle's star has dimmed after an All-NBA breakout in 2020-21, making it clear the team will need to acquire a true 1A superstar to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Mitchell is arguably not that guy himself—he's never made an All-NBA team—but he may wind up being the most available if things start going south in Utah.
Jimmy Butler, Duncan Robinson Dominant as Heat Blow Out Obi Toppin, Knicks
Jan 27, 2022
MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 26: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat runs on the court during the game against the New York Knicks on January 26, 2021 at FTX Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Miami Heat stayed atop the Eastern Conference with a 110-96 win at home over the New York Knicks on Wednesday. Duncan Robinson led the way with 25 points with seven three-pointers as Miami improved to 31-17.
— HEAT on FanDuel Sports Network (@FanDuelSN_Heat) January 27, 2022
It was the fourth straight win at home for the Heat, who now have a 17-5 record at FTX Arena. Jimmy Butler had 22 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field. P.J. Tucker added 20 points.
Miami guard Tyler Herro, who missed the previous three games while in the league's health and safety protocols, returned and had 21 points off the bench. The team was still without point guard Kyle Lowry (personal reasons).
The Knicks fell to 23-26 after their second straight loss. Obi Toppin had a team-high 18 points, and RJ Barrett added 17.
Notable Stats
G Duncan Robinson, MIA: 25 points (7-of-11 3-pt FG)
F Jimmy Butler, MIA: 22 points (7-of-8 FG, 8-of-9 FT)
G Tyler Herro, MIA: 21 points (off bench)
F P.J. Tucker, MIA: 20 points
F Obi Toppin, NYK: 18 points (off bench)
G RJ Barrett, NYK: 17 points
Heat Have No Trouble Against Knicks
Despite not being at full strength, Miami is proving itself to be one of the best offensive teams in the league. Against a New York team that has had trouble finding consistency this season, the Heat were in cruise control from start to finish.
Miami never trailed in the game, opening the first quarter with nine consecutive points before the Knicks got a basket. The Heat held a 30-16 lead after the first quarter thanks to outhustling the Knicks up and down the court.
The second quarter saw much of the same as Miami didn't let up. Herro scored 12 of his 21 points in the period and was a perfect 4-of-4 from the field. The Heat took a 59-46 lead into halftime.
— HEAT on FanDuel Sports Network (@FanDuelSN_Heat) January 27, 2022
Miami pretty much put the game away in the third quarter by opening up with a 22-7 run. The Heat were just relentless all night and didn't allow New York to get back into the game. Miami went ahead by as many as 30 points as Butler, Robinson, Tucker and Herro continued to put on a show.
— HEAT on FanDuel Sports Network (@FanDuelSN_Heat) January 27, 2022
What was most impressive about Wednesday's win was the efficiency. The Heat shot over 50 percent from the field in each of the first three quarters. Miami was also hot from three-point land, converting 14 of its first 27 attempts and finishing the game shooting 43.2 percent from beyond the arc.
The Heat can no longer be considered a team that is flying under the radar. Miami is playing some of the best basketball in the league at the moment and has established itself as a legitimate title contender.
Uninspired Effort by Knicks Leads to Blowout Loss
New York is not known for being a high-energy team by any means, but Wednesday's effort was just abysmal. The Knicks came out the gates sluggish and played from behind for the entire game.
It began with the team's starters, whose struggles this season have been well-documented. New York's starting five plays with minimal chemistry, and that has led to inconsistent play on both ends of the floor. The team doesn't know how to adjust when opposing defenses take away its first option.
There was a clear difference in the effort level when some of the bench players entered the game, but by that point, the Knicks already faced a large deficit.
And it's a Knicks timeout with Miami up 13-2. Thibodeau preaches moving the ball out of doubleteams -- the Heat are doubling and the Knicks are not moving. It's not pretty early.
Tired of narrative Julius just has to attack the paint. He can’t because they’re zoning up or packing the paint. And they’re doing that because they’re not scared of Julius shooting 3-pointers.
part of what makes obi and grimes impressive is just that they run. starting five is four of the slowest dudes in the league plus RJ. then obi comes in and it's like ZOMG LOOK. he's just running.
Despite shooting over 40 percent from beyond the arc in the first half, the Knicks trailed by as many as 20 in the first two quarters.
Knicks have made nine threes, but somehow about to enter the half with fewer than 50 points. 14 paint points, 1-of-5 shooting from the foul line and nine turnovers will do that.
The second half continued with more ugly play by New York as it fell behind by as many as 30. The Heat had no issues attacking the Knicks defense and outscored them 33-21 in the third quarter.
The problems with New York lie in its starting lineup. All five players failed to set a proper example for the rest of the team, and it wasn't a first-time occurrence this season.
The Knicks will have to make some changes to their rotation if they hope to compete for a postseason berth in the Eastern Conference. If New York continues to play the way it did Wednesday, it will find itself on the outside looking in as the playoff race heats up.
What's Next?
The Heat will welcome the Los Angeles Clippers to town Friday. The Knicks will travel to face the defending-champion Milwaukee Bucks that same day.
